China’s second manned space flight will be conducted by two astronauts over five days in 2005. “Shenzhou-VI will be blasted into space sometime next year,” said Zuo Saichun, a spokesperson of the China Aerospace Science and Technology (CAST). “The spacecraft will make new breakthroughs in China’s manned space technology.” Their capsule is designed to be capable of orbiting for a whole week, the spokesperson said.

An exhibition on the US-launched mission to Mars was launched here Saturday by the National Geographic Channel as a prelude to a global television event of the Mission Mars Exhibition. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of America launched two exploration rovers to Mars about half a year earlier. The rovers are expected to land on Jan. 4 and 25 respectively. The exhibition showcases a model of NASA’s Mars exploration rover, with detail graphic description of the functions of different parts.